Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA567431’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA567431’, particularly characterized by having numerous attractive, large, white flowers with light yellow-green and white lips, flowers that are flat in lateral view, medium lip curvature of lateral lobe, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA567431’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA567431’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive, large, white flowers with light yellow-green andwhite lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA567431’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in February 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid‘11-050208-0002’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollenparent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘11-050243-0001’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in October 2017. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2019 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Apr. 20, 2022 (Application no. 2022/1058), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA567431’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA567431’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA567431’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) white flowers with light yellow-green and white lips;    -   2) flower shape in lateral view is flat; and    -   3) lip: curvature of lateral lobe is medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms andfoliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs weretaken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-oldplants in April 2023. Colors in the photographs may differ from thecolor values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of‘PHA567431’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA567431’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead, close-up view of the leaves of ‘PHA567431’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA567431’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in April 2023 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA567431’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘11-050208-0002’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘11-050243-0001’            (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green colored roots (a color in            between RHS 190B and RHS 190C) with branching lateral roots            having yellow-green (RHS 145A) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 57.0 cm to 62.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 36.0 cm to 38.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 10 to 12 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 18.0 cm            to 20.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At middle. Shape: Oblong. Base            shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric. Leaf            blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal            position): Between 15 degrees and 30 degrees. Leaf margin:            Entire. Color: Upper surface: Green (a color in between RHS            146A and RHS 147A). Lower surface: Green (RHS 146B). Texture            (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm            to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel.            Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower            surface: RHS 146A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—15 to 25.        -   Length.—57.0 cm to 62.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of green (RHS 146B), light green (RHS 195A), and            reddish-brown (RHS 200B) (it becomes less reddish-brown            toward inflorescence).        -   Internode length.—2.5 cm to 3.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 300.0 mm to            350.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 80.0 mm to 85.0 mm. Diameter: 95.0 mm to            100.0 mm. Depth of lip: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 13 to 15 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Moderately            compressed. Apex: Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Weakly            undulated. Length (from base to tip): 43.0 mm to 45.0 mm.            Width: 56.0 mm to 58.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of            the petal: Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155D). Over color:            Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155D). Over            color: Absent. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the            petals (upper surface): None. Color of spots, dots, and            stripes on the petals (upper surface): Not applicable.            Density of netting of the petals (upper surface): None.            Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 46.0 mm to            48.0 mm. Width: 33.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155D).            Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155D). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145D) and a            touch of light reddish-purple (RHS N78D). Number of spots,            dots, and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the dorsal sepals            (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the            dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 49.0 mm to            51.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155D). Over color: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145D)            at the base. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155D).            Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Number of spots,            dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral            sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting            of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the            netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 22.0            mm to 24.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155D).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Moderately undulated. Length: 22 mm to 24.0 mm.            Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: White (RHS            NN155C); pink (RHS 182C) and reddish-orange stripes (RHS            174C) at the base; yellow margin (RHS 5A) and light            yellow-green (RHS 154D) on one side. Lower surface: White            (RHS NN155C); greenish-yellow (RHS 154D) toward margin on            one side. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            Few stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            Pink (RHS 182C) and reddish-orange (RHS 174C). Density of            netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not            applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0            mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Orange margin (RHS N170B); light yellow-green (a            color in between RHS 154C and RHS 154D) at the base; white            (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower surface: Orange margin            (RHS N170B); light yellow-green (RHS 154D) at the base;            white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Number of spots and            stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes            on the apical lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of            the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.            Bump and ridge: Absent.        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm.            Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:            Greenish-yellow front (RHS 151C); light greenish-yellow (RHS            1C) on sides; yellow tips (RHS 9A); reddish-orange dots (RHS            174B) and yellowish-white (RHS NN155A) on sides.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 10.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155D).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Diameter: 2.3 mm to 2.5            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm to            2.9 mm. Color: Green (RHS 145A) at the base; light            yellow-green (RHS 145B) and lighter yellow-green (RHS 157C)            toward the flower. Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA567431’ differs from the female parent plant ‘11-050208-0002’(unpatented) in that ‘PHA567431’ has a medium to long plant length andmoderately elongated leaves having horizontal to semi-dropping leafattitude, whereas ‘11-050208-0002’ has medium plant length and slightlyelongated leaves having semi-erect leaf attitude.

‘PHA567431’ differs from the male parent plant ‘11-050243-0001’(unpatented) in that ‘PHA567431’ has a medium lip curvature of thelateral lobes and white whiskers, whereas ‘11-050243-0001’ has a stronglip curvature of the lateral lobes and white with greenish-yellow tippedwhiskers.

‘PHA567431’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALFOWIC’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245) and ‘PHALHETWER’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 33,526). ‘PHA567431’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALFOWIC’ in that ‘PHA567431’ has white whiskers and triangular shapedapical lobes, whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has greenish-yellow whiskers andtrullate apical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHA567431’ has strongly asymmetricleaf apexes, whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has symmetric or slightly asymmetricleaf apexes.

‘PHA567431’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALHETWER’ in that‘PHA567431’ has long, white whiskers, medium to long plant length, andflat flowers in lateral view, whereas ‘PHALHETWER’ has very long, whitewith light greenish-yellow tipped whiskers, long to very long plantlength, and concave flowers in lateral view.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHA567431’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.